Drama: Script Analysis: Objectives and Stage Directions
Identifying character goals, tactics, and movement onstage
Drama: Script Analysis: Objectives and Stage Directions
Identifying character goals, tactics, and movement onstage
Drama - Grade 6-8
- 1
Read the excerpt: Maya: Please, Jordan, just look at the poster before you say no. Jordan: I already told you, I am not joining the debate team. Maya steps in front of the door and holds up the poster. What is Maya's likely objective in this moment?
An objective is what a character wants in the scene.
Maya's likely objective is to convince Jordan to consider joining the debate team. Her line and her action of blocking the door show that she wants Jordan to stop and look at the poster. - 2
Read the stage direction: Eli crosses downstage center and speaks directly to the audience. What does downstage center mean?
Downstage center means the middle area of the stage closest to the audience. Eli moves to a strong, visible position before speaking. - 3
Read the excerpt: Nora: I am fine. Nora turns away and quickly wipes her eyes. What does the stage direction reveal that the dialogue does not?
Compare what the character says with what the character does.
The stage direction reveals that Nora is upset even though she says she is fine. Her action of wiping her eyes suggests she may be crying or trying to hide her feelings. - 4
In a script, what is the difference between a character's objective and a stage direction?
A character's objective is what the character wants to achieve in a scene. A stage direction tells actors how to move, speak, or behave, or it describes what is happening onstage. - 5
Read the excerpt: Sam: Give me the key. Riley: Not until you tell me the truth. Riley backs toward the desk and places the key in a drawer. What is Riley's objective?
Look at what Riley wants Sam to do.
Riley's objective is to make Sam tell the truth before getting the key. Riley's action of putting the key in the drawer shows that Riley is using the key as leverage. - 6
Read the stage direction: The room grows quiet. Ava enters slowly, clutching a torn letter. What mood does this stage direction help create?
This stage direction helps create a serious, tense, or sad mood. The quiet room, slow entrance, and torn letter suggest that something important or upsetting has happened. - 7
A director tells an actor, Your tactic is to flatter, but your objective is to get permission to leave. Explain the difference between the tactic and the objective in this instruction.
The objective is the goal. The tactic is the strategy.
The objective is the character's goal, which is to get permission to leave. The tactic is the method the character uses to reach that goal, which is flattering another character. - 8
Read the excerpt: Leo: I was not scared. Leo laughs too loudly and grips the edge of the table. What acting choice would best support the stage direction and why?
An actor could laugh in a forced way and hold the table tightly. This would support the stage direction because it shows Leo is trying to hide fear or nervousness. - 9
Look at the stage areas. If a script says, Talia exits stage left, from whose point of view is stage left determined?
Stage directions are usually written from the actor's perspective.
Stage left is determined from the actor's point of view while facing the audience. Talia would exit to the actor's left side, not the audience's left side. - 10
Read the excerpt: Principal: The contest begins in one hour. Laila: Then I need every paintbrush we have. Laila rushes to the supply closet. What is Laila's objective?
Laila's objective is to prepare quickly for the contest. Her request for paintbrushes and her movement to the supply closet show that she wants to gather materials right away. - 11
Rewrite this weak objective as a stronger playable objective: Marcus wants to be happy.
A playable objective should be specific and focused on action.
A stronger playable objective could be: Marcus wants to persuade his brother to forgive him. This is stronger because it gives the actor a specific goal to pursue in the scene. - 12
Read the stage direction: June sits at the far end of the bench, leaving a wide space between herself and Omar. What might this blocking suggest about their relationship in the scene?
This blocking might suggest that June feels distant, angry, nervous, or uncomfortable around Omar. The wide space between them can show emotional distance or conflict. - 13
Read the excerpt: Ben: We can still win if everyone listens to me. Cara rolls her eyes but nods. What conflict is suggested by Cara's stage direction?
Notice the difference between rolling her eyes and nodding.
Cara's stage direction suggests that she may disagree with Ben or be annoyed by him, even though she nods. This creates conflict between what she shows openly and what she may really feel. - 14
A script says: The lights fade to blue as the siblings pack the last box. What information does this stage direction give to the production team?
This stage direction tells the production team to change the lighting to blue while the actors pack the last box. It may also suggest a calm, sad, or reflective tone for the moment. - 15
Read the excerpt: Grandma: Take the map, but promise me you will not go alone. Mina takes the map and avoids Grandma's eyes. Identify Mina's possible objective and explain how the stage direction supports it.
Use both the dialogue and the movement to infer what Mina wants.
Mina's possible objective is to get the map so she can leave, perhaps without fully agreeing to Grandma's warning. Avoiding Grandma's eyes suggests that Mina may feel guilty, secretive, or unwilling to make the promise honestly.